Love at First Bite (1979)

This vampire spoof has Count Dracula moving to New York to find his Bride, after being forced to move out of his Transylvanian castle. There with the aid of assistant Renfield, he stumbles ... See full summary »

Director:

Stan Dragoti

Writers:

Robert Kaufman (screenplay), Robert Kaufman (story)

Stars:

George Hamilton, Susan Saint James, Richard Benjamin

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Hamilton	...	Count Vladimir Dracula
Susan Saint James	...	Cindy Sondheim
Richard Benjamin	...	Dr. Jeffery Rosenberg / Van Helsing
Dick Shawn	...	Lt. Ferguson
Arte Johnson	...	Renfield
Sherman Hemsley	...	Reverend Mike
Isabel Sanford	...	Judge R. Thomas
Barry Gordon	...	Flashlight Vendor
Ronnie Schell	...	Guy in Elevator
Bob Basso	...	T.V. Repairman
Bryan O'Byrne	...	Priest
Michael Pataki	...	Mobster
Hazel Shermet	...	Mrs. Knockwurst (Lady in Elevator)
Stanley Brock	...	Erwin Newman (Cab Driver)
Danny Dayton	...	Billy

Storyline

This vampire spoof has Count Dracula moving to New York to find his Bride, after being forced to move out of his Transylvanian castle. There with the aid of assistant Renfield, he stumbles through typical New York city life situations while pursuing Cindy Soundheim. But her boyfriend, Doctor Jeff Rosenberg, realizes she is under the influence of a vampire, and tries his bumbling best to convince police Lt Ferguson of what is going on, and to help him stop Dracula.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | dracula | 1970s | restaurant | reference to nadia comaneci | 

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Taglines:

I don't drrrink vine, and I don't smmooke sheet.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dracula Sucks

Filming Locations:

5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$43,885,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP), Melvin Simon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The newspaper headline read: "BLOOD BANK ROBBED OF 200 GALLONS".

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Goofs

After biting the wino and waking up with a hangover, Dracula says "Vat vas dat eediot drinking? It tastes like the Volga River at low tide!" The Volga doesn't flow through or near Romania, so a Romanian count wouldn't be familiar with the flavor of its water. And the Volga empties into the Caspian Sea, an endorheic basin which isn't connected to the oceans, and doesn't experience tides.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Count Dracula: Children of the night, shut up!

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Alternate Versions

Commercial TV broadcasts change change Dracula's line "I don't drink wine, and I don't smoke shit" (referring to a character offering him a joint) to the nonsensical "I don't drink wine, and I don't smoke sssssssssss...."

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Connections

References Fantasy Island (1977)

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Soundtracks

Dancin' Through the Night
Words and Music by Charles Bernstein, Joe Long, Robbie Adcock, Steve Hines
Produced by Joe Long and Robbie Adcock for Rolling Coaster Productions
Disco Midnight - Mix by Richie Rivera

User Reviews

Love at First Bite

Clever romantic comedy with the always charming Hamilton as a more hoaky and fun Count Dracula. There are plenty of wonderful gags and a witty supporting performance from "Laugh In" alum, Arte Johnson, as Dracula's sidekick.